Hebron

Hebron (Arabic: الخليل al-Ḫalīl; Hebrew: חֶבְרוֹן Ḥevron, Ḥeḇrôn, or Ḥebron) is an ancient city in the southern West Bank. It is the traditional burial place of the Biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives. This makes it a significant religious site for the Abrahamic religions. In 2017, the old town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

For other places with the same name, see Hebron (disambiguation).

Understand

Hebron is mentioned in the Bible as the home of Abraham, and the burial place of him and several generations of his family. In King David's time, Hebron was briefly the capital of the Israelite state, before the capital moved to Jerusalem. Today, Hebron is holy to both Muslims and Jews due to its association with Abraham. (Christianity is also an Abrahamic religion, but Christians haven't paid as much attention to Hebron.)

The Jewish population of Hebron was evacuated after Arabs killed nearly 70 of them in 1929. After the 1967 war, a few Jews resettled the Jewish quarter. Today, about 500 Jews live in part of the old city of Hebron under continual Israel Defense Force protection, and with a ratio of four Israeli soldiers for each Israeli settler.

Today, the city of Hebron is home to about 500 Jews and 200,000 Palestinians. The Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba (population 8,000) is a separate city immediately adjacent to Hebron. Hebron is divided into two sectors: H1 is entirely Palestinian and includes about 80% of the city's residents, while H2 contains all the Jews and the remainder of the Arabs. H1 is under full Palestinian control (i.e. Area A), while H2 is under full Israel control. The Cave of the Patriarchs, the main holy site in the city, is on the border between H1 and H2.

This has been one of the tensest places between Jews and Palestinians, as in Hebron both sides here tend to be more extreme and violent than the average for their ethnic groups. Jews here have the 1929 massacre on their minds, while Palestinians have Baruch Goldstein's 1994 massacre of praying Muslims on theirs. This is not a good place to express your opinion on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Even Jewish residents here have an often-hostile relationship with the Israel army, because they see it as being too accommodating to Palestinians. Unfortunately, the 2017 declaration of the Old Town as a UNESCO world heritage site has done little to ease the tensions, as the Israeli government protested its classification as an "endangered" "Palestinian" site, despite its Jewish heritage.

Get in

If you are visibly Jewish, it is probably not safe to travel unaccompanied to the "other" side of Hebron. However, if you look and sound like an international tourist, you should be fine on both sides.

To the Jewish side
  • From Jerusalem – Take bus 381 or 383 from the CBS (₪8.10) to the Jewish side of Hebron. The third from the last stop (Me'arat Hamahpela) is in front of the Cave of the Patriarchs on the Jewish side. The final stop (Beit Romano) is a five minute walk from an H1/H2 checkpoint.
  • From Be'er Sheva – Take bus 254 (₪13.50), which terminates at the nearby Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba, from where you can take 381 or 383 over to the Jewish side of Hebron. This transfer might be free if you show them the bus 254 ticket.

To the Palestinian side
  • From Jerusalem – Take bus 21 from the Sultan Suleiman bus station just out and to the right from Damascus gate. Tell them Hebron or Al-Khalil (Arabic). They will take you to a mid way drop off point at the Bethlehem bus station. From there, go to the very bottom floor of the Bethlehem bus station where a servees (the Palestinian version of a sherut, called a serv-eese in Arabic) will deliver you to Hebron for less than ₪10.
  • Alternatively, take the bus to Abu Dis and tell the bus driver you are going to Khalil.
  • From Bethlehem – As mentioned before, from the very bottom floor of the Bethlehem bus station (at Manger Street) a servees will deliver you to Hebron for ₪9.
  • From Ramallah – Direct servees to Hebron depart from one of the many bus stations in Ramallah, just ask around. It might be faster to go to Bethlehem first, though.
  • From Be'er Sheva – Make your way to the last stop in front of the Church of the Patriarchs on the Jewish side, as explained before. From there just walk further passing by at least three Israeli checkpoints, with the 🌍 last checkpoint being a gate which "delivers" you to the Palestinian side. Alternatively, you can directly enter the Palestinian side via a 🌍 gate to the left of the Muslim entrance of the Church of the Patriarchs, after which however you will need to go through a lengthy and little depressing souq alley.
Also, arriving at 🌍 Kiryat Arba, you can walk directly into the Palestinian part of Hebron – consult Google Maps for the best way. However, taking the short ride with the Egged bus might be more convenient coming here the first time.

Get around

Crossing between the sides

There are at least two gates that allow pedestrian traffic between the Palestinian and Jewish sides. The most convenient gate for travelers is the Bab El-Zawiya crossing, a five minute walk from the Beit Romano bus stop on David Hamelech Street. Parking for Israeli registered vehicles is possible just before the crossing.

There is a myth that it is impossible to access the Jewish side of Hebron on foot coming from the highway/main road. However, this was likely only true in tense times, because there were no gates and metal detectors you could be checked with, although this has since changed. Generally, Palestinian taxi drivers are not allowed to drive to the Jewish side. In that case, you will need to go by taxi or bus from an Israeli town or a Jewish settlement (like Kiryat Arba). Either way, internationals can drive into the Jewish side, if your driver is not Palestinian.

It is now possible to make a long (25 min) walk from Kiryat Arba to the Cave of the Patriarchs directly via a stubby sidewalk. If that is not possible directly for some reason, walk via the Palestinian side and then through one of the gates coming from Be'er Sheva.

In general

The 🌍 Hebron Bus Station for servees to and from the surrounding areas, and even Bethlehem and Ramallah is on the upper floors of the Jeel-Saed shopping centre along Adel Street.

On the Palestinian side of Hebron, taxi rides within the city shouldn't cost more than ₪10-15. For seeing sights out-of-town, it's best to take a servees taxi at the service-taxi/bus station or negotiate a fair price with a taxi driver. Make sure to agree on a price for a taxi before getting in.

On the Jewish side of Hebron, a 10-minute walk will take you from one end to the other.

See
  • 🌍 Cave of the Patriarchs (al Haram al Ibrahimi/Ibrahimi Mosque, Ma'arat HaMachpelah/Machpelah Cave). The main religious site in the city. The cave, where the Patriarchs and their wives are buried, is deep underground. Now, people pray in a building on top of the cave, built by King Herod about 2000 years ago. The building is divided into Muslim and Jewish sections. Visitors are welcome to visit both sides when they are not being used for scheduled prayer. The Muslim side provides cloaks for women to cover up when visiting. The Muslim side contains the only known entrance to the Cave below (it is locked by a marble door), as well as the tomb-markers of Isaac and Rebecca. The tomb-markers of Abraham and Sarah lie on the border of both the Muslim and Jewish sections, while the Jewish section contains the tomb-markers of Jacob and Leah. Most of the time, half of the building is used for Muslim and half for Jewish prayer. On a few predetermined days each year, each religion gets to use the entire building. For the Jews, in addition to the normal holidays, one of these days is "Shabbat Chayei Sarah" each fall, on which thousands of people from all of Israel visit Hebron to commemorate Abraham's purchase of the Cave from its previous Hittite owners. For the Muslims, it is on Fridays during Ramadan, and during the Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha holiday, commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. The Cave of the Patriarchs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the contested recognition of it led the US's and Israel's 2017 decision to leave the UNESCO on 31 Dec 2018. 
  • 🌍 Beit Romano. The building of the Yeshiva built in 1901. Since 1980, it has been used by Jews as a yeshiva once again. 
  • 🌍 Tel Rumeida (Tel Hebron) (next to the Jewish cemetery). In this place archaeological digging revealed the ruins of a 4,500 years old city wall and staircase. On top of which a building with apartments was erected standing on pillars. In this building, also the Hebron Observatory can be found – just walk up the stairs inside of the building and hope the upper door is not locked. According to the nearby stationed Israeli Army, this is one of the most tense places in Hebron, because Palestinian and Jewish houses are built right next to each other with no fences or walls – you will notice by the different large flags posted in front of two houses. 
  • 🌍 Tomb of Yishai (Jesse) and Ruth (close to Tel Hebron, follow the signs). These biblical figures are associated with King David. The site includes also a medieval-like Synagogue, built due to the tombs here, and the 🌍 Giant's Wall. 
  • 🌍 Abraham's Well. The well supposedly used by Abraham. 
  • 🌍 Church of the Holy Forefathers and Monastery of the Holy Trinity (Al Maskobiya), ☏ +970 59 205 7775. 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00. The Russian Orthodox monastery and church was founded in the early 20th century. Opening times vary, so call ahead. (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Oak of Mamre. An very old oak, venerated by some as the "Oak of Abraham". (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Al Kawthar Mosque (near The Oak of Abraham Monastery). In front of the mosque a 1000-year-old wall/church can be admired – it is being excavated with help of the Russian government. 
  • 🌍 The Oak of Abraham Monastery (Oak of Mamre) (Hirbet as Sibteh). This Christian holy site commemorates Abraham's visitation by three angels. 
  • 🌍 Avraham Avinu Synagogue. First built in 1540, this synagogue was destroyed in 1948 but later rebuilt. It serves as the center of the Jewish community in Hebron. (updated Apr 2023)
  • 🌍 Sheikh Ali al-Bakka Mosque (مسجد الشيخ علي بكاء) (Northwestern part of the Old City). 13th-century mosque. (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Al-Jawali Mosque (مسجد الجوالي) (Southwestern corner of the Old City, adjacent to the Cave of the Patriarchs). Built in 1320. (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Ibn Othman Mosque. (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Old Jewish cemetery. The historic Jewish cemetery in Hebron, dating back to the 13th century. It was largely destroyed after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War but has been restored. The cemetery includes a memorial to the Jewish victims of the 1929 massacre. (updated Aug 2023)

Museums
  • 🌍 Old Hebron Museum (متحف الخليل القديمة). The main museum in Palestinian side of Hebron. Housed in the former Palestine Hotel, a magnificent building in the old town built in 1929. It showcases a limited number of antiquities but mainly features stories and images from Hebron's early history to the present day. (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Hebron Museum (מוזיאון חברון). Also known as the Hebron Visitors Center, this is the main museum on the Jewish side of Hebron. It showcases the Jewish history in Hebron up until the present day. (updated Aug 2023)
  • 🌍 Hebron University Museum (متحف جامعة الخليل). A small antiques museum managed by the university in Hebron, features coins and pottery from the Classical period. (updated Aug 2023)

Do
  • Walk around, cross the gates and experience this distinct example of a divided city. Just the separation and how people are dealing with it, is very interesting to see.
  • Walking through the 🌍 Old Town/Market (Souq) on the Palestinian side.
  • See Hebron transforming into a ghost town on Friday afternoon, when it is a public holiday.
  • H2 Hostel offers a political and cultural tour of Hebron for ₪50 per person, although the price can also inflate to ₪100 for a 3 hour tour depending on the number of participants, so ask beforehand.
  • A good idea is to hire one of many young folks around (mostly men) to give you a tour – please note #Stay safe. Agree on a fair price before hand. Though, more professional tours can be organised with your accommodation or from Jerusalem.
  • Green Olive Tours. Tour has two guides: one is Israeli & one is Palestinian. Offers a great dual-perspective on the history of Al-Khalil/Hebron. 
  • Breaking the Silence Tours. BTS offers tours of the Israeli/H2 side of Hebron. It is led by ex-soldiers that share their personal experiences from working in the IDF. This is a very popular tour; you should sign-up 1 month in advance. Note that the bus leaves from Tel Aviv, and you cannot join the group unless you leave from Tel Aviv. ₪120. 

Buy

Purchasing items in the Old City district of the city (near the Ibrahimi Mosque) Hebron's Old City is an awesome place to get your Holy Land souvenir shopping done.

  • 🌍 Hebron Glass and Ceramics Factory (On Ras al Jora street in the northern part of the city). Sells blown glass and ceramic plates, tiles, ornaments and decorations (such as those seen in the markets in Jerusalem) which Hebron is famous for, at very reasonable prices. The shops in Jerusalem buy from this factory, so it's better to cut out the middle-man and buy here. The factory, which allows visitors to see how the glass ornaments are made, is also worth seeing. 
  • 🌍 Hirbawi Kafiyya Factory (10 minute walk from the city centre), ☏ +97222220512, . The only Kafiya (Arab chequered scarf) factory left in Palestine. They make very beautiful kafiyas in different colours. between ₪15 and ₪30 depending on how well you bargain. 
  • 🌍 Women in Hebron co-operative, Market St (Old city souq), ☏ +97022254295, . Sells various handmade souvenirs and trinkets. 

Work

Hebron has a controversial political history and present. There are a number of NGOs and movements on the ground that monitor the situation and advocate for human rights. These organizations are largely run by volunteers with tourist visas.


Eat

Buy some tabun (large, soft, round) bread in the Bab il Zaweya quarter and pick up a container of hummus nearby and you are set.

Falafel is one of the most famous "snacks" in Palestine in general. Hebron has many famous falafel restaurants that are always crowded because of their tasty falafel. Grab your sandwich for ₪3 and enjoy.

  • 🌍 Abu Saadee Falafel (at the corner, 100 m walking in on the fruits and vegetables street into the Old Town). A nice old guy that must have been here for ages. No seating. 
  • 🌍 Falafel No. 2 (right after Abu Saadee). More like a restaurant and buzzing. 
  • 🌍 Falafel Shorla, Ein Sarah Street (500 m in on Ein Sarah Street). Great falafel and you can put the salad by yourself, i.e. as many pickles as you want. 

Hebron is famous of its traditional dish called Al-Qidrah (Al-Khaliliyah). This meal contains mainly rice and meat (chicken or lamb). It is very tasty and lovely, Al-Qidra is eaten usually on Fridays and other festivals. Since it needs time to prepare and it should be cooked in a woody oven in bakery, it is not easy to find in casual restaurant. However, it is available in restaurants like "Abu Mazen" and "Alquds" in Ras el jora. It could be expensive for local citizens. The dish for one person with drinks would cost around ₪35.

If you are a sweet lover, do not miss to get some sweets from the many sweets shops around in Hebron. Try kunafa/kenafeh (₪5 for a regular plate), Baqlawa, Harisah, Kolaj and the list can go long.

Drink

As an overwhelmingly Muslim city with a more conservative culture than cities such as Bethlehem and Ramallah, alcoholic drinks are not available on the Palestinian side of Hebron. Nightlife is centered around Ein Sarah street with plenty of coffee shops and shisha lounges open until around 23:00. For those who don't enjoy coffee, most cafés also serve orange, carrot and pomegranate juice cheaply.

  • 🌍 Badran Café. A historic café on the Palestinian side which has been around for at least 150 years. The place to have an intellectual discussion over Arabic coffee in town. (updated Aug 2023)

Sleep
  • 🌍 H2 Hostel Hebron (Hostel in Hebron), Bab Al-Zawiya Square, Floor 3 (Standing at the double junction 20 m from the checkpoint gate, when entering the Palestinian side of Hebron, directly diagonal/opposite the building complex at the bottom of the junction is the complex containing the hostel, where on its north-eastern side you will find the entrance to al-Sa'ah Restaurant and at the 3rd floor the hostel (trust the GPS marker).), ☏ +970 599 576 638, . The budget and increasingly popular option in town. Dorm bed ₪50. (updated Feb 2019)
  • Homestay, ☏ +970 599185654, . There is a possibility to stay with families in the old city of Hebron. Some of these families have extra rooms that are usually rented to visitors. Trips can also be arranged. 
  • 🌍 Al-Amanah Hotel (Hebron Hotel), Ein Sarah Street (5 min away from the city center "Bab El Zawyieh"), ☏ +972 2 225 4240, . You can check with the hotel management about the availability of rooms and prices 
  • 🌍 Abu Mazen Hotel, Namera Street, ☏ +972 2-221-1113. From ₪216. 
  • 🌍 Queen Plaza Hotel, Ainsara, ☏ +972 2-222-3222. From ₪280. 

Stay safe

Touts

It seems like there are many "guides" running around, trying to catch tourists on the basis of charity or political activism, showing you pictures of other westerners they have supposedly worked together with. They even suggest you're Jewish if you don't tell them your nationality, and might become pushy asking for money.

This tout-like behavior leaves some doubts whether they really stand for what they are claiming. If you just don't want to be bothered, tell them you have been here before and not interested this time. Be firm, you have nothing to fear from these guys. Hebron definitely is a very political place, but you should decide for yourself whether to take action.

In general, be wary of unofficial guides, which mostly will try to take you from one place to the other where you will likely buy something, so they can make their share from the shop owner. They will even ruthlessly tell you that something is closed or might take too long (like the Church of the Patriarchs), which is not true, just to make sure you spend more time potentially spending money. Better to use a regular guide with an agreed and claimable schedule.

Security

Many people are hesitant to come to Hebron, because they get told by hostel owners (e.g. in Bethlehem, for apparent reasons) that Hebron is unsafe. However, Hebron is not less safe than any other city in the West Bank during "peace times". Also, if you are non-Jewish you are not a threat or target, for that matter, to/for any Palestinian, and you are likely to be greeted with the characteristic "welcome!" in the city center. However, in some of the Palestinian suburbs around the Kiryat Arba settlement, tourists are not a regular occurrence and a small minority of locals may be less friendly, especially if they believe you to be associated with the settlement.

In addition, the special situation makes it a must if you want to understand more about the conflict.

Go next
  • Nearby popular sights in the West Bank, that allow for a day trip from Hebron, include Tor-Safa Cave, Taffuh Underground Church, Tomb of Prophet Lot and Birkat al-Karmil (Holy Pool).
  • Bethlehem – The biblical birthplace of Jesus and hometown of David.
  • Jerusalem – Besides the Dead Sea, a central focus for most people coming to Israel.
  • Jericho – One of the oldest settlements in the world and the Middle East.
  • Negev & Judaean – Deserts close to the Dead Sea, featuring amazing sites and desert landscapes, including the Ramon Crater and two other craters.
  • Hiking in the Judaean Desert – Go out to other nearby hiking trails; particularly the Mishmar and Ze'elim streams are very close by.
  • Dead Sea – One of the most famous things to see or do in Israel and Jordan.
  • For bus travel to destinations in Israel, Egged runs various routes from/via inside Kiryat Alba. You may have a hard time gaining admittance to the settlement, but you might still be able to catch the buses at the settlement's 🌍 entrance/exit gate near the highway. Failing that, it will probably be necessary to take a bus to Jerusalem to interchange for onward travel.


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